Nintendo helped to set the standard for how to make money with video
games for years. You sell a console and then you make and sell games for
that console, and you sell the rights to allow others to make games for
that console. Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo are still making money this
way, even if the latter is currently struggling to meet expectations.

Things have changed in the last few years, however, expanding the
ways in which video games can be profitable. Some companies give their
game away for free and ask the players who enjoy the game most to buy
small items for the game with frequency. Some charge a monthly fee to
allow players to keep playing their game. Some sell advertising inside
of their free games. Some companies sell action figures along with their games to help expand profits. And of course, some sell their games on popular cell phones.

Nintendo has mostly stuck with the original model. It is dipping its toe in free-to-play with an upcoming version of Steel Diver, and is also trying to sell its games piece-meal with its high-definition Wii Sports re-releases.

Of these new business models attempted by other publishers and video
game developers, are there any that you would like to see Nintendo
adopt? Do you have any interest in buying Nintendo games on your cell
phone? Should Rosalina have been an action figure you could buy at the
store as opposed to an unlockable character
in Super Mario 3D World? Should Animal Crossing be a free download with
the option to purchase your favorite couch with real money? Or should
Nintendo do what it usually does and come up with something entirely
new? Let us know in the comments below.

You can also head here to jump into our last reader discussion about the Wii U where we asked, how can Nintendo convince you to buy a Wii U?